Brothers John (left) and Jim Harbaugh shared a laugh when recalling their childhood. The Harbaugh brothers, Jim and John, met the media in New Orleans, La. to talk about their teams and the upcoming Super Bowl Friday February 1, 2013. less

Brothers John (left) and Jim Harbaugh shared a laugh when recalling their childhood. The Harbaugh brothers, Jim and John, met the media in New Orleans, La. to talk about their teams and the upcoming Super Bowl ... more

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Fans waiting in line for a Joe Montana autograph shouted his name. Legendary San Francisco 49er quarterback Joe Montana signed autographs at the NFL Experience event held at the New Orleans Convention Center late Friday February 1, 2013. less

Fans waiting in line for a Joe Montana autograph shouted his name. Legendary San Francisco 49er quarterback Joe Montana signed autographs at the NFL Experience event held at the New Orleans Convention Center ... more

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Ray Lewis, MVP of the Super Bowl against the Giants, is the only Raven with a ring.

Ray Lewis, MVP of the Super Bowl against the Giants, is the only Raven with a ring.

Photo: Mike Segar

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Newcomers can expect Super Bowl butterflies

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(02-02) 09:56 PST New Orleans --

Twenty years ago, two future Hall of Famers stood in a stadium tunnel moments before playing in their first Super Bowl and ... freaked out.

Prior to Dallas' 52-17 dismantling of Buffalo in Pasadena, Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin and running back Emmitt Smith heard a thunderous roar of anticipation from 98,000 fans at the Rose Bowl.

Irvin, who played in a national championship game at Miami, realized he was in uncharted territory.

"Man, that stadium got so loud my knees buckled," he said. "I looked at Emmitt and I said, 'Did you feel that?' He said, 'Man, my knees buckled.' I said, 'Mine, too, but don't say a word because if they know we're scared, we really don't have a shot."

On Sunday, plenty of players figure to experience similar emotions as they get ready to experience a game that will be seen by a worldwide audience of about 150 million. Of the 106 players on the 49ers' and Ravens' rosters, only eight have played in a Super Bowl.

This week, Goodwin and Haggans were in an elevator at the team hotel. Realizing their shared connection, they discussed their good fortune. They get to experience such a game again.

"You have memories of playing in your backyard," said Haggans, who played for the Steelers in their win over the Seahawks in 2006. "Playing with your friends in the street. Thanksgiving in the park. All the time, you're pretending you're in the Super Bowl. Then, to actually be in the game, it's incredible."

And it can also be overwhelming. Talk to a Super Bowl veteran, and many will recall the battle to manage their emotions before kickoff.

Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest began hyperventilating during warm-ups before his first Super Bowl in 2002. And Haggans had a never-experienced-before surge of adrenaline when Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, a hometown hero, was introduced in Detroit in 2006.

Cornerback Eric Davis was relatively calm leading up to San Francisco's rout of the Chargers in Miami 18 years ago. Then the stadium lights were shut off and Kathie Lee Gifford's rendition of the national anthem was punctuated by an explosion of fireworks and the roar of four fighter jets flying overhead.

"It didn't really hit me until then," Davis said. "That's when you feel the enormity of it all. I mean, you feel it."

And some players are still feeling it when the game starts.

Goodwin said the first three plays of the Saints' win over the Colts in 2010 remain a mystery. Niners wide receiver Mario Manningham, who is on injured reserve, doesn't recall any of the Giants' game-opening, 10-play drive in last year's win over the Patriots.

"No idea what happened," Manningham said.

ESPN analyst and former Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer successfully suppressed his excitement before Baltimore's win over the Giants 12 years ago. The problem? He subdued himself into a near-catatonic state.

"I got too calm," Dilfer said. "I was so focused on not letting the distractions get to me that I was kind of melancholy when I came out. I needed to get some more juice."

As Haggans laughingly recalled, some players will attempt to force feelings before the big game. As Aaron Neville sang the national anthem in Detroit, Haggans stood by linebacker Larry Foote, who was audibly frustrated by his inability to begin bawling.

"It was one of those things where he wanted to cry because he'd seen guys do it before the Super Bowl on TV," Haggans said. "He said, 'What's wrong with me? I'm not crying right now.' "

A pair of Hall of Famers, however, dismissed talk of odd pregame emotions.

Jerry Rice? He took a long nap before he was named the MVP of the 49ers' 20-16 win over the Bengals in 1989.

"My teammates thought I was crazy," Rice said. "But I had prepared all week long and I was ready to play the game."

Similarly, former Rams running back Marshall Faulk indicated he had no problems getting to his Zen state before a win over the Titans in 2000: "I have the ability to free up my mind and just be," he explained.

Really? Irvin believes football's biggest game will inspire butterflies in every player. And a flood of Super Bowl rookies could be in for a knee-buckling experience Sunday.

"I don't care how much you think you're prepared and how much you think you're ready," Irvin said. "When that whistle blows, you will be nervous."